Presentation About Hosting Exchange Students To Be Held At St. Paul UCC

Bonnie resident and PAX Community Coordinator, Rhonda Ruettiger, will present an informational presentation titled “Share Your America” on June 14, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 330 North Burhman, Nashville.

All Nashville residents are invited to attend this presentation to learn about an academic exchange program that places high school students from one of 70 European, South American, Asian, or African countries during the upcoming 2017 school year.

These students are sponsored by PAX (Program of Academic Exchange). Founded in 1990, PAX is a not-for-profit educational organization that is a prestigious U.S. government-sponsored program. It has two programs: FLEX and YES. It is also one of a select few, U.S. Department of State (USDS), designated Exchange Visitor Programs chosen to participate in these prestigious U.S. government­ sponsored programs. Each year, more than 1,100 teenagers visit the U.S. as PAX exchange students.

PAX students are 15-18 years old, have studied English for at least three years and are motivated to learn more about the U.S. by attending high school and living with a host family. PAX students are eager to experience American activities with their host families. These activities may include backyard barbecues, birthday celebrations, and holidays, etc. PAX students are covered by comprehensive medical insurance and have their own spending money for incidentals.

Volunteer host families provide PAX students with a bed, a quiet place to study, a seat at the dining table and a warm and supportive home environment. Host families are also encouraged to engage students in everyday American life.

As these students experience American culture, host families will learn about the exchange student’s country and culture and experience American life through a “fresh set of eyes.”

All types of families -single parents, young couples, retirees and parents with teenagers are welcome to host a student.

For more information, call Rhonda at 618-899-0395 or visit PAX at www.pax.org.